Fifth Editon of the Lech Wałęsa Award Launched

The Lech Wałęsa Award is a prestigious international recognition, bestowed to honour individuals, institutions and social movements promoting international cooperation and respect for human rights. In addition to a memorial statuette, presented by Lech Wałęsa himself, laureates will receive a check for $100,000 as a token of support for their actions. The Lech Wałęsa Institute Foundation calls for nominations for the Award.

The Lech Walesa Award is a sign of solidarity with those who fight for a better tomorrow. It was established in 2008 by Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and leader of the 'Solidarity' workers movement, as an expression of the founder's gratitude for the support he had received when awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.  The Award is presented to individuals, institutions and social movements who strive towards mutual understanding and cooperation between nations, and promote freedom and respect for human rights. 'This prestigious designation aims at supporting people or organisations who have the courage to fight for global peace and oppose terrorism. The Award is a tribute to those whose actions give hope and offer a chance for political and social changes', says Piotr Gulczyński, President of the Board of Executives, Lech Wałęsa Institute.

Chapter of the Award

The Award will be - for the fifth time - presented by the Chapter composed of globally recognised authorities and prominent public figures: Lech Wałęsa, founder of 'Solidarity' and Nobel Peace Prize Winner; Stanislau Shushkevich, former Chair of the Supreme Council of Belarus; Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, former Poland's Prime Minister; Bernard Kouchner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the French Republic; Władysław Bartoszewski, a prominent Polish statesman; Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania and Zbigniew Jagiełło, President of the Board of PKO BP, a major Polish bank. 'The Award can be given to an individual, corporation, institution or social movement that actively advocates human rights, is open to others, tolerant, promotes the idea of global cooperation based on universal values and respect for all people and, most importantly, inspires others to act for solidarity, freedom and democracy', says Mr Gulczyński.

The winner will receive a memorial statuette from the Lech Wałęsa Institute Foundation and a cheque for $100,000 as financial support founded by the exclusive partner of the Lech Wałęsa Award, PKO Bank Polski.

Previous Editions (2008-2011)

So far, the Lech Wałęsa Award has been presented four times. The Award laureates were, in chronological order:

1. Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, awarded for promoting dialogue between religions and acting for peace in the Middle East,
2. Shadi Sadr and the sisters Ladan and Roya Boroumand, Iranian activists for human rights and women's rights,
3. the Polish aid and relief NGO Polska Akcja Humanitarna and its founder, Janina Ochojska, honoured for supporting the idea of human solidarity in the organisation's charity work,
4. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former President of Federative Republic of Brazil, recognised for making efforts to reduce social inequality and advocating peaceful understanding and joint partnership between nations, in particular strengthening the position of developing countries in the global arena.

Fifth Edition

The Lech Wałęsa Award is bestowed as part of the project 'Solidarity for the Future'. Each year, the Award ceremony is attended by prominent guests from Poland and abroad. Since 2009, the event has traditionally taken place in Gdańsk on the day of Lech Wałęsa's birthday, September 29^th. The ceremony is held at the historical building of Artus Court and in the halls of the Old Gdańsk City Hall. 'Solidarity for the Future and the Lech Wałęsa Award ceremony are extraordinary initiatives which promote Poland globally as a venue for discussing proposals for continuously integrating Europe and the rest of the world', emphasises Piotr Gulczyński.
 
Nominations for the Fifth Edition of the Lech Wałęsa Award can be submitted on or before 30 June 2012 by mail sent to:
Fundacja Instytut Lecha Wałęsy
Al. Jerozolimskie 11\19
00-508 Warszawa
Polska
or emailed to nagroda@ilw.org.pl 

A nomination should include the following information:

1. full name of the candidate
2. contact information
3. description of candidate's work
4. justification for nomination.

For more information, visit the Lech Wałęsa Institute Foundation's website: www.ilw.org.pl and the ‘Solidarity  for the Future' website: www.solidarnoscdlaprzyszlosci.pl

For additional information, please contact: